LAPTOP TRAY FOR ROLL-ABOARD LUGGAGE

Abstract

A tray (10) for supporting a laptop computer (40) has a generally T-shaped handle (11) attached to a generally rectangular support body (12). The body (12) has a pair of spaced apart longer parallel side rails (13, 14) connected by a bottom rail (15) and a top rail (16). The bottom rail (15) is generally planar to provide a resting surface for a front edge of the computer (40). The top rail (16) has a pair of friction devices (17, 18) mounted thereon and the handle (11) has a stem (19) attached to the top rail (16) between the friction devices. An alternate embodiment handle (52) has a cross-bar (20) attached to the top rail (16) by a pair of legs (55, 56) and the cross-bar has a friction device (54) mounted thereon.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/972,934 filed Sep. 17, 2007.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for supporting a laptop computer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The modern business traveler often finds himself or herself waiting for transportation or an appointment. Such traveler typically carries a portable computer that can be used to perform work tasks during the waiting period. However, waiting areas in airports, train stations and office lobbies usually do not have a desk-like surface for supporting the portable computer in a comfortable working position.

A portable work surface for use with a luggage carrier is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,150,508 issued Aug. 22, 2000. A ground engaging leg and an engaging apparatus are attached to the work surface. The engaging apparatus frictionally couples to a support member of the luggage carrier.

A combined desk and luggage carrier is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,543,796 issued Apr. 8, 2003. A wheeled luggage supporting frame has a pivotally connected lower support shelf on one side and a pivotally connected upper desk-top shelf on an opposite side. Folding telescopic legs are attached to the desk-top shelf for further support.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,604,472 shows a tray having either a foldable leaf portion or a fixed upstanding rib. The tray rests on top of the upright luggage with the leaf portion or rib engaged with a handle of the luggage to maintain the tray in a horizontal position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, an apparatus for supporting a laptop computer includes a tray having a generally T-shaped handle attached to a generally rectangular support body.

The apparatus body has a pair of spaced apart longer parallel side rails connected by a bottom rail and a top rail. The bottom rail is generally planar to provide a resting surface for a front edge of a computer.

The apparatus top rail has a pair of friction means mounted thereon and the handle has a stem attached to the top rail between the friction means. The stem is attached to a cross-bar having a pair of friction means mounted thereon.

A method of using the apparatus according to the present invention wherein a roll-aboard luggage bag has an extending handle assembly formed with a handle attached between a pair of extendable legs whereby when the handle assembly is extended, the friction means contact opposite sides of the legs to maintain the tray in any selected position along the legs.

In another embodiment, the apparatus top rail has a friction means mounted thereon. The handle has a cross-bar attached to the top rail by a pair of legs and the cross-bar has a friction means mounted thereon.

A method of using the apparatus according to the alternate embodiment of the present invention wherein a roll-aboard luggage bag has an extending handle assembly formed with a handle attached between a pair of extendable legs whereby when the handle assembly is extended, the friction means contact opposite sides of the handle assembly legs to maintain the tray in any selected position along the handle assembly legs.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above as well as other advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of two embodiments of a tray apparatus in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the trays shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one of the trays shown in FIG. 1 mounted on the handle of roll-aboard luggage;

FIG. 4 is another perspective view similar to FIG. 4 showing the roll-aboard luggage;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 with a laptop computer supported by the tray; and

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing the tray and computer in use.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/972,934 filed Sep. 17, 2007 is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

The following detailed description and appended drawings describe and illustrate various exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description and drawings serve to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any manner. In respect of the methods disclosed, the steps presented are exemplary in nature, and thus, the order of the steps is not necessary or critical.

To make the Business traveler's time more productive, a Laptop Tray was invented to easily attach to the handle of roll-aboard luggage and hold a laptop computer at a convenient height in front of the seated user.

The Laptop Tray works on a cantilever principle so when weight is applied to the tray, two rubber coated friction arms rotate to trap the extended luggage handle. The tray's height is adjustable over the length of the vertically extended luggage handle.

The friction arms come in two configurations. (1) A “T” configuration which splits the vertical telescoping handle supports and (2) a “D” configuration which encircles the telescoping handle support rod(s). A low tension bungee cord is recommended to maintain positive downward force on the tray insuring engagement of the friction arms.

As shown in the figures, a tray 10 has a generally T-shaped handle 11 attached to a generally rectangular support body 12. The body 12 has a pair of spaced apart longer parallel side rails 13 and 14 connected by a bottom rail 15 and a top rail 16. The bottom rail 15 is generally planar to provide a resting surface for the front edge of a computer 40. The top rail 16 has a pair of friction devices or means 17 and 18 mounted thereon and the handle 11 has a stem 19 attached to the top rail 16 between the friction means. The stem 19 is attached to a cross-bar 20 having a pair of friction devices or means 21 and 22 mounted thereon. In an alternate embodiment (not shown), the stem 19 can be eliminated from the handle 11 and the cross-bar 20 attached to the top rail 16 by a leg at each end.

A roll-aboard luggage bag 34 has an extending handle assembly 30 formed with a handle 31 attached between a pair of extendable legs 32 and 33. When the handle assembly 30 is extended, the friction means 17 and 21 contact opposite sides of the leg 32 and the friction means 18 and 22 contact opposite sides of the leg 33 to maintain the tray 10 in any selected position along the legs 32 and 33. When the tray 10 is mounted on the handle assembly 30, the computer 40 can be placed on the rails 13 and 14 to rest against the bottom rail 15. Now the computer 40 is ready for use as shown in FIG. 6.

An alternate embodiment tray 50 has a generally D-shaped handle 52 attached to a generally rectangular support body 51. The body 51 has the pair of spaced apart longer parallel side rails 13 and 14 connected by the bottom rail 15 and the top rail 16. The bottom rail 15 is generally planar to provide a resting surface for the front edge of the computer 40. The top rail 16 has a single friction device or means 53 mounted thereon and the handle 52 has the cross-bar 20 attached to the top rail 16 at the ends thereof by a pair of legs 55 and 56. The cross-bar 20 has a friction device or means 54 mounted thereon.

When the handle assembly 30 of the roll-aboard luggage bag 34 is extended, the legs 55 and 56 cam be placed on opposite sides of the handle assembly 30 and the friction means 53 and 54 will contact opposite sides of the legs 32 and 33 to maintain the tray 50 in any selected position along the legs 32 and 33. When the tray 50 is mounted on the handle assembly 30, the computer 40 can be placed on the rails 13 and 14 to rest against the bottom rail 15 in the manner shown in FIG. 6.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the present invention has been described in what is considered to represent its preferred embodiment. However, it should be noted that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope.

Claims

1. An apparatus for supporting a laptop computer comprising: a tray having a generally T-shaped handle attached to a generally rectangular support body.

2. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said body has a pair of spaced apart longer parallel side rails connected by a bottom rail and a top rail.

3. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said bottom rail is generally planar to provide a resting surface for a front edge of a computer.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said top rail has a pair of friction means mounted thereon and said handle has a stem attached to said top rail between said friction means.

5. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said stem is attached to a cross-bar having a pair of friction means mounted thereon.

6. A method of using the apparatus according to claim 6 wherein a roll-aboard luggage bag has an extending handle assembly formed with a handle attached between a pair of extendable legs whereby when the handle assembly is extended, the friction means contact opposite sides of the legs to maintain the tray in any selected position along the legs.

7. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said top rail has a friction means mounted thereon.

8. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein handle has a cross-bar attached to said top rail by a pair of legs and said cross-bar has a friction means mounted thereon.

9. A method of using the apparatus according to claim 6 wherein a roll-aboard luggage bag has an extending handle assembly formed with a handle attached between a pair of extendable legs whereby when the handle assembly is extended, the friction means contact opposite sides of the handle assembly legs to maintain the tray in any selected position along the handle assembly legs.